Do You Need a Training Program?

How many times have you searched the internet for the perfect training program? How did that work for you?

There are hundreds of programs, and the difficult part is finding one that matches your goals. In order to set your goals, you have to find a purpose. You can assess where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow, and then you determine what it will take to get there.

The difficulty is often in finding the balance between family, work, and training. Will your goal be to maintain your weight, to become more competitive, or to run and enjoy the feeling of being outside? Your choice will shape your level of commitment. Define your real purpose, and then surround yourself with others who will support you.

All runners, from novice to the advanced, go through the same process. Your level of commitment will play a vital role. You can review a few of the programs in order to understand the concept and how to incorporate hard days to train and easy days to recover.

There’s another element to go with the program which I’ve shared in other columns and that is your mental thoughts about your training. In order to be successful, you need to stay focused and whatever you do, it is for you! Think about your priorities, define your purpose, and surround yourself with other people to help support you.

Your training will help you develop techniques and skills at which you’ll have to practice, following your schedule. The objective is to do your best and to improve. The product from the work which you place in your training will result in you having greater confidence in your abilities. This will translate into you being able to dig deep and to find strength when things may not be going right.

What is preventing you from taking the next step?

I would like to share some insights from Ed Arthur of Alexandria, Virginia. I had a conversation with Ed, who is a determined runner. Like most of us, he is not training for the Olympics, but has that passion for fitness. Ed seeks to place his talents against others and himself as well. Ed is an experienced runner (this is another way of stating he is over 40 years of age).

Ed is at the crossroads where longevity and performance intersect—the desire to keep up the competitive nature or to modify expectations and still remain relevant on the roads. Ed has developed that mindset where he knows how to “dig deep” and call up the reserves to push through barriers. We all know what that feels like.

As you read the responses from Ed, try to place yourself in his shoes and consider how you would answer the questions. Truth be told, as we age, our priorities will change along with the demands on our time. There are family commitments, deployments for the military, and work. I am sure you have your own laundry list. All of the above causes frustrations because they interfere with your sport.

Ed has been running for 43 years with time taken off over the years for raising a family, business travel, and injuries. Each break was followed by a return back to the road.

Q: How did you get started?

We got married in 1974 and after a little bit of time I began to pick up weight. I started going for very light jogs and found I really enjoyed it. It also helped me lose weight and feel good about myself. My wife ran as well and as we had kids we would take them up to the track and they would ride their bikes while we ran.

Q: Do you consider yourself a competitive runner?

My goal has always been to be a competitive runner, and in my races, my goal has always been to finish in the top three in my age group, but that has never happened. However, I do consider myself a competitive runner and I always manage to place in the top 25% of my age group.

Note: Although the goal may be missed, there is still success in trying, learning, and getting back out on the road.

Q: When you race, is it for time or place?

I always have a time I am trying to hit, so I can place. I review the results from the previous race year, and determine where I think I need to be, and I train to try and hit that mark. So, I have a time goal, and I feel as though if I hit that goal, it should put me in the top three of my age group.

Q: When you race are looking for someone to beat?

Yes, I am. And during the race, if I see someone I feel is in my age bracket, I definitely try and beat them, thinking that will put me up one slot closer to the top three finishers.

Q: Do you feel that running is emotional?

Absolutely. Very emotional for me. Sometimes during a run, I may cry. I pray, I think through issues and problems, and give plenty of thanks that God has allowed me to keep on running. And I enjoy the wonderful sights as well as the many friends I have on my trail. For the most part, I don’t know these friends’ names, but we have spoken for many years on the trail. Just to wave, nod, and say hello, I feel as if we are good friends.

Q: What has been that moment which you are most proud of?

I am most proud after a race, thinking I gave my all, left nothing in the tank. And maybe I did not hit my time goal or standings, but I know in my soul that I trained hard and ran hard on race day and gave every ounce of effort and energy I had. That makes me feel great.

Q: When you lace up your shoes you feel…?

I am not really sure what I am going to encounter, but I know I am going to finish my run. It may turn into a wonderfully exhilarating run where I don’t want to stop. It may turn into a grueling run where I seem to hurt all over. Or it may be a peaceful slow run where I think about so many different things and see many friends along my path. No matter what the run ends up being, when I stop I am proud of myself and feel good all day about what I have accomplished.

Q: What is it that motivates you to run?

My health, as I have several health issues I am dealing with. I run for the mental discipline and toughness I feel it gives me so that when there is something else in life I have to deal with, I always think to myself: “If you can deal with many of the grueling runs, you can surely endure this medical test, or whatever it is I am about to encounter.”

Q: Do you have any fears when it comes to running?

Injury or that something will happen where I will not be able to run. I often worry about what I would do to replace it. My running is what I want to do in life, in my spare time; it is my hobby and something I think so much of. I cannot imagine being without it.

Q: How do you handle an injury?

Better than I used to! When I was younger, I would run through it, which we all know does not work. As a result, my injury would worsen, and I had to take more time off. When I feel something now, I typically stop for a few days, try again and if need be, lay off some more until I feel better. I don’t try to run through it and I also take the theory that I want to run forever, so if I have to lay off for a time to run longer in life, I am OK doing that.

Q: Do you think you need to train your mind for running?

Yes, I do. It takes mental toughness.

Q: How do you balance family, work, and training?

I am now semi-retired, and our kids are adults now, so it is much easier. However, my wife has always encouraged my running and training for not only the physical wellbeing but for my mental state as well. I had a stressful job and after a tough day, she would encourage me to go out and run. I would always come back in a better frame of mind. So, I have been very lucky in that aspect. My kids come to my races and they are proud of me. Some of them run races with me.

Q: You are an accomplished runner. Let’s say person X comes up and asks, “Ed, I want to start running, what should I do?” How do you answer?

Like anything in life, start slow and don’t go too strong. Get some good running shoes, go out for slow and short runs. Be consistent in going out. Initially you may not enjoy it as much as you hope, but if you keep at it, you reach a point where you really enjoy it, and at that time add on more miles and just keep running.

As many of you are moving towards changing your lifestyle and goals to stretch yourself to learn new approaches, I hope Ed’s insight was helpful.

What you do today and moving forward is in your hands.